Overview:

This Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver deck is a synergistic Zombie tribal build focused on generating value through token swarms, recursive threats, and aristocrat-style life drain. The commander amplifies the deck's engine by creating decayed Zombies whenever non-token Zombies die and providing card advantage through controlled sacrifices. The deck employs multiple layers of redundancy with zombie lords, token generators, and sac outlets to overwhelm opponents through combat or death triggers. Key infinite combos with Gravecrawler and Phyrexian Altar/Ashnod's Altar enable explosive finishes when paired with payoff cards like Diregraf Captain.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), zombie token generators (Cryptbreaker, Poppet Stitcher), and value engines (Undead Augur, Midnight Reaper). Use Gravecrawler as a recurring resource.
2. Midgame Engine (Turns 4-6): Cast Wilhelt and zombie lords (Death Baron, Diregraf Captain) to amplify threats. Activate sac outlets like Carrion Feeder to trigger death synergies and draw cards via Wilhelt's ability.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8+):
   • Combat: Overrun with boosted Zombies using Lord of the Accursed (menace) or Hordewing Skaab (flying).
   • Aristocrat Drain: Pair infinite sac loops (Gravecrawler + Altar + payoff) with Plague Belcher, Bastion of Remembrance, or The Meathook Massacre.
   • Burst Damage: Resolve Gray Merchant of Asphodel with high devotion or Rot Hulk for mass reanimation.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including UB sources), early plays (Gravecrawler, Cryptbreaker), and at least one engine piece (sac outlet, draw engine).
• Prioritize Rooftop Storm in slower metas or combo-focused hands.
• Avoid hands lacking early board presence or sac outlets.

Key Tips:

• Use Phyrexian Altar as both a combo piece and mana fixer for Rooftop Storm.
• Lazotep Plating protects your board during critical combo turns.
• Zul Ashur, Lich Lord enables graveyard recursion loops with key Zombies.
• Roaming Throne (naming Zombie) doubles death triggers from Diregraf Captain and Undead Augur.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples Gravecrawler, Rot Hulk, and recursion engines.
• Torpor Orb/Hushbringer nullifies death triggers and ETB effects (Gray Merchant, Plague Belcher).

Moderate

• Board wipes disrupt token swarms; recovery relies on Wilhelt or Empty the Laboratory.
• Cursed Totem shuts down Carrion Feeder, Phyrexian Altar, and other activated abilities.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction beyond Counterspell/Mana Drain.
• High mana value key pieces (Rooftop Storm, Liliana, Dreadhorde General) can be slow.

Most Important Cards:

• Gravecrawler (Infinite combo enabler, recursive threat)
• Phyrexian Altar (Mana engine, combo piece)
• Rooftop Storm (Free Zombie casting, enables explosive turns)
• Diregraf Captain (Primary aristocrat payoff)
• The Meathook Massacre (Board wipe + global drain)
• Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver (Token generation, card advantage)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life swing bomb)
• Mana Drain (Protection + ramp)
• Vampiric Tutor (Consistency tool)
• Rot Hulk (Mass reanimation)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via combat or combo by T6-7 with optimal draws, but relies on assembling 3+ card combos without cEDH-level fast mana.

Resilience: 7/10

• Strong recursion (Zul Ashur, Tomb Tyrant), protection (Lazotep Plating), and redundancy in key strategies mitigate disruption.

Consistency: 7/10

• Multiple tutors (Vampiric, Rot Hulk), card draw engines (Kindred Discovery, Undead Augur), and tribal synergy ensure reliable access to core pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Go for the Throat, Feed the Swarm) and counterspells (Mana Drain) handle key threats, but lacks broad answers to noncreature permanents.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates efficiently in the T6-8 range with robust synergies and multiple win paths but lacks the speed and interaction density of higher-tier lists. Its resilience and consistency place it above casual builds, while its reliance on combat and multi-card combos prevents cEDH viability.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5